Vilo Jones DeMille

Vilo Jones DeMille of Rockville, UT - Age 94, passed away August 1, 2010 in Ivins, UT. She was born September 21, 1915, in Grafton, UT. She was the youngest of five children born to Edward Duzett and Rhoda Ballard Jones of Grafton, UT. While growing up in Grafton, Vilo had a tumultuous childhood yet enjoyed life.
Vilo moved to Rockville after she married Floyd DeMille on Sept. 15, 1933, in the St. George LDS Temple. Struggling through the Great Depression, Floyd and Vilo worked with very little income to build a home and a family. They raised Fawn, LaKoma, Rosalind and Elaine; Garrett was stillborn. Because of their rugged self-reliance, Vilo helped her husband build a humble farm from which they harvested almost everything they needed. She worked like a farmhand to bail the hay, slop the pigs, churn the butter, kill the chickens, press the cheese, till the garden, prepare the meals, manage the money, bake the bread, can the fruit, and make the clothing. Her green thumb helped her sow a garden known around town for its variety and productivity. She was a master home canner, and usually gave most of her harvest away. Economic pressure forced Floyd and Vilo to live and work in Henderson, Nev., for 16 years. They returned to their Rockville farmette as soon as Floyd retired. In 1975, Vilo and her daughters went into business making and selling handmade patchwork quilts. In time, hundreds of people from around the world bought the "Quilt Lady's" fabric masterpieces.
When Floyd died, Vilo continued to tend her garden and make quilts to support herself. She missed her partner and spent many quiet nights in her home. She was an avid reader and loved keeping up on the news.
Vilo became a sought-after reference as she advanced in her years. As the oldest original resident of Grafton, those interested in the history of the ghost town got first-hand information from her. She fondly remembered being in the westerns when Hollywood came to Grafton. When she developed Alzheimer's disease a few years ago, her family knew her time was running out, despite her hardy stature. Vilo was able to spend the last few months with family, staying at her great-granddaughter's home in Ivins. Vilo passed peacefully in the arms of her loved ones. She's with her Floyd again now.
She is survived by her daughters and son in-laws: Fawn (Fred) Barber of Henderson, NV, LaKoma (Bud) Tangren of Las Vegas, NV, Rosalind (Lynn) Linginfelter of Henderson, NV, Elaine (Walt) DeMille of Henderson, NV; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her; husband, son, parents, and siblings. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dan & Aleen McGuire, Ralph and Virginia Gifford, Jarolyn Stout, The Moak family and The Hospice Alliance team: Ethan, Mike, Corinne, Laurie, Gary and Theresa.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 7, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Springdale LDS Chapel, 1584 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale, UT. Visitations will be held Friday August 6, 2010, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday prior to services from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. both at the Springdale LDS Chapel. Interment will take place at the Rockville City Cemetery following the service.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences at www.serenicare.com. SereniCare Funeral Home, St. George, UT, 986-2085.